About tea

About tea

How to store loose leaf tea?




Whether it's loose leaf tea from the late ’90s or from this year's harvest you got just weeks ago, here is some advice on how to keep your tea fresh.

The word tea is used rather liberally in the US, referring to green, oolong, white, and black tea as much as mint, chamomile and ginger. This guide mainly focuses on pure teas made from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis: green, oolong, white and black teas.

The rules are actually quite simple. Keep your teas away from these five elements:

Heat
Light
Air (Oxygen)
Odors
Moisture

Does tea expire?
Properly stored tea doesn’t expire, but the flavor and aroma will change with time, especially greener style teas. One thing to keep in mind is knowing the difference between tea aging and spoiling. Properly stored tea does not spoil. Like wine and whiskey, when teas age they (slowly) change their flavors. Well made teas don't soil if they are kept away from those five elements aforementioned. Teas are spoiled when they mold. Molding happens when tea leaves are exposed to excessive moisture and heat.

How to keep teas fresh?
Different types of tea have different freshness sensitivities.

The category of tea that's the most sensitive to aging is the greener styles, or lighter oxidized tea. For example Green Teas and Lighter Oolongs. These teas are made to accentuate the grassy and vibrant quality of the raw tea plant and therefore carry a higher "freshness" factor. They are the most sensitive to aging because the freshness quality is the first to fade during an aging process.

Tea doesn't spoil if stored properly, just the flavor will change and in this case grassy to earthy. If you don’t have access to a vacuum sealer and prefers that vegetal flavor, try buying in small quantities and drinking the tea within two-four months.

On the contrary, more oxidized black tea or roasted teas are less sensitive to aging. This family of teas appeal by showcasing flavor nuances created by processing the tea plant (ie. controlled and intentional exposure to heat or air). They may even get tastier with time as the flavor settles, therefore suitable for intentional aging.

How to store tea properly? (Storage)
Storing loose leaf tea in a tea canister, tea caddy, or metalized foil bag is the easier and the most effective. We recommend using a container that is odor-free, blocks sunlight, and can keep the tea tightly sealed. Avoid plastic, paper bags, or clear jars.

Pu-erh teas are the exception, as slight air exposure and variable temperatures actually help them age better. However, it's important to keep them away from odors and excessive moisture.

At home, once open, we suggest keeping teas from us in the foiled bag it came with and wrapped tightly with a rubber band. At our tearoom we pack almost all our teas in 60 grams pack and only cut open the bag when we are ready to use it. We store the rest of the unused tea in canisters.
Much like spices, we also recommend labeling the tea with the date that you got it, that way you know when you received it.



Should I refrigerate green tea?
You could if you have a very large batch and it will take you over 6 months to consume it. Be aware of condensation. Temperature difference in the air builds condensation after the tea is taken out of the fridge. The resulting moisture can causes spoilage if it's excessive.

Although the fridge may extend the freshness of green teas, we encourage you to purchase yours in smaller increments to fully enjoy its vegetal flavor and aroma.

Is it ok to leave the brewed tea leaves out overnight?
Yes, we do this all the time. We suggest you complete your steepings from brewed tea leaves within 24 hours.

In summary, keep your tea in an airtight container, store it in a cool and dry location, away from the sun and strong odors.

WHAT IS TEA?

Tea is both the product of the Camellia sinensis evergreen shrub and the beverage made from the leaves, buds and twigs. All teas are made from this plant, regardless of the type or "color." Black, green, white, oolong and pu-erh teas are all the same plant. What makes each of these teas differ from one another is the way in which they're picked and processed. 

What is the brewing temperature and time for teas?

Tea Type              Water Temp C           Steep Time
White                      65-70                         1-2mins
Yellow                     70-75                          1-2mins
Green                     75-80                          2-4mins
Oolong                    80-85                         2-5mins
Black                       99                               3-5mins
Pu–erh                    95-100                       3-7mins
Tisane/Herbal         99                              3-6mins

 

 

 

Does Green Tea have Caffeine?

Yes, Green Tea does have caffeine approx 8 mg to 30 mg, this helps the brain remain alerted.

Is Green Colour added to make the Green Tea?

No colour, preservatives, additives are added to Green Tea. The tea leaves are processed in a way to keep their original character, after brewing loose leaf tea, the leaf should be green.

Are your teas organic?




The tea farmers we work with care deeply about the sustainability of the tea plant. When meeting potential farmers and teamakers, it’s always our goal to find producers that make quality tea without toxic chemicals. We don’t sell anything that we wouldn’t drink ourselves.

Certifying every batch of tea organic for international markets is a heavy financial burden that only a few well-resourced teamakers have the luxury of achieving. Most prefer to place their time and effort on making more sustainable and delicious tea instead. Though there is increasing willingness for certification as the global demand for organic teas rises.

We are currently working with two producers who make fully organic teas. The teas within the Naturally Farmed section are teas that have been certified organic by the strictest certification agency in Germany, AGROLAB.

Do your teas have GMOs?

One does not find GMOs in tea, Genetically modified organisms are found mostly on big cash crops like corn or soy. We will be registering as a GMO free organization later this year.

What are some of the key reasons that make green tea worth the effort?

The answers to this question can range from health to taste to aroma and may differ from person to person. While some people explore green tea as a health supplement for the multitude of health benefits it can offer, there are quite a few people who savour its fresh aroma and taste. There’s only one way to find out.

Can drinking tea help one lose weight?

Drinking tea regularly can increase the metabolism of your body and give you the energy to live a more active lifestyle. This in turn can be of great help if you’re trying to lose weight.

Order

Order FAQ

Is my personal information protected on your site?

Yes, your privacy and security is very important to us. All orders are placed through our secure server. All information is protected against unauthorized access or release. We do not sell, rent or loan any personal information to any third party.

 

How soon can I expect my order?

Your order will be processed and shipped within 48 hours. Once processed,  you can expect to receive your order in 6-10 day for UK orders, 6-15 days for EU orders, 6-15 days for US and Canada orders. and 2-7 days for Japan orders.

How can I track my order?

As soon as your order is ready to be shipped out we will send you a shipment confirmation email with the delivery information and a link to track your order online. Please note, that it can take some days before the tracking information is uploaded. You will also be able to track your order when you log into your account.

Where do you ship to?

Worldwide Shipping: Domestic delivery to HK OR standard Shipping to the European Union and to the Rest of the World (ROW).

What are the different shipping costs?

Temporary free shipping!

Shipping costs will be assessed during checkout based on the full value of goods purchased.

The shipping cost doesn’t account for any import taxes/customs fees. These fees are not under our control and apply according to the regulations of your selected country of delivery. Please refer to your local customs authorities for more information.

What forms of payment are accepted?

In case of deliveries to any other countries, you have the following payment options: Payment via credit card OR payment via PayPal.

How can I return my order?

You have 14 days to revoke this contract without specifying any reasons. In order to exercise your revocation right, please inform us: info@toponetea.com

We’ll give you a full refund by the same method you used to pay. You bear the direct costs for returning the products. We can refuse the repayment until the products are returned to us. Please take a look at the Revocation right for consumers in our Imprint for more details.

Can I cancel my order?

If you want to cancel your order, please do so as soon as possible. If we have already processed your order, you need to contact us and return the product. Please contact info@toponetea.com

Packaging arrived damaged.

DO NOT ACCEPT damaged packages from the delivery courier. By refusing the damage parcel, the delivery company must record and take responsibility for the damage. When this procedure is followed, we are able to open a claim and quickly replace or refund your goods.

I received the wrong products.

In the rare case that you have received products you did not order, please send us a photograph of the items received. Once we verify an error on our part, we will act quickly to help you return the incorrect items at our expense and send the correct products as quickly as possible.

I’m still waiting for my refund.

Please note that refunds will not be processed while parcels are in transit. They must be returned to us and received in undamaged, re-sellable condition before any refund will be processed. If you have confirmation that we have received your return and are still awaiting the funds, please first check your bank or PayPal account, and then contact our customer service staff. We will be happy to verify any transactions with our accounting department.